The emotions of an abortion

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Whatever you are feeling is normal

There is no single "right" way to feel. Some women feel mostly relief. Some feel sadness. Some feel worry, or guilt, or a quiet calm, and many feel several of these at the same time, even feelings that seem to contradict each other. All of it is normal and human. Your feelings may also change from one day to the next, and that too is normal. Whatever comes up for you is allowed here, and you will never be told how you ought to feel.

You will not be judged

The decision to end a pregnancy is deeply personal, and the reasons behind it are your own. You do not have to explain or justify them to be treated with kindness. Our role is to care for you safely and to respect your choice, not to weigh it. From the first message to the moment you go home, you will be met with the same warmth and respect we would want for anyone in our own family.

A private and respectful space

Many women worry about who might find out, or about being looked at differently. At Pai Hospital your privacy is protected. Your visit, your reasons and your care are confidential, kept between you and your medical team. You are welcome to bring someone you trust. For a surgical abortion, which is done under anaesthesia, our policy is that you come with a responsible adult who can take you home afterwards; for other types of abortion, you may come on your own. Either way, you will be looked after gently and given the time and quiet you need to ask anything on your mind.

Unmarried women are fully welcome

If you are unmarried, please know that you are just as welcome here as anyone else, and the law is on your side. Safe abortion care under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act in India does not depend on being married. You will be treated exactly the same — with the same privacy, the same respect and the same standard of care. You can read more on our page about safe and legal abortion services and about your rights under the MTP Act in India.

You can lean on others

Some women want a partner, a friend, a sister or a parent beside them; others prefer to keep this entirely private. Both are completely fine. If the people around you are supportive, let them help; if this is something you would rather not share, your right to privacy is absolute here. What matters is that you do not have to carry the practical and emotional weight of it all on your own — that is exactly what a caring medical team is for.

Emotional support is part of the care

Good care is not only about the body. It is also about how you feel before, during and after. We give you room to talk, we answer your questions without rushing, and we make sure you understand each step so that nothing comes as a surprise. If you are anxious, say so; if you need a moment, take it. Feeling low or tearful in the days afterwards is common, and it usually eases with time, rest and the support of people you trust. If sadness feels heavy or does not lift, please tell us — that too is something we can help with, and reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Care that happens in person, in Goa

To keep you safe, any abortion care must happen in person at our hospital in Goa. There is no service by post or courier, and no treatment given over the phone. You cannot be sent medicine to take at home on your own, and no one can safely guide a termination from a distance. This is not a formality — a proper examination protects your health and confirms what is genuinely right for your situation.

An online or phone consultation has one purpose: to listen to you, answer your questions, and tell you whether coming in is likely to help and what the next step would be. It is a doorway, not the treatment itself. When you come in, you are assessed properly and the safe path for you — whether that is the medicine route or a short procedure — is explained clearly and carried out with care. You can read in general terms about the two safe approaches, the medicine route and a short procedure, though which one suits you is decided only after you are seen.

Looking after you afterwards

Care does not end when the treatment is over. We tell you what to expect, when to rest, and what signs mean you should contact us. When you are ready, we can also talk gently about contraception, so that you stay in control of what happens next on your own terms. There is no pressure and no lecture — only clear information, whenever you want it.

Getting started

If any of this is on your mind, the first step is simply to call or message us. Share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. A first online consultation lets us understand your situation and tell you whether treatment is feasible and what the next step is — but remember that the treatment itself is always done in person at our hospital in Goa, never remotely. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS (Obstetrics & Gynaecology). This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.

Or call +91 75582 52088 · 0832 251 3641

This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.